Croydon Council is spending £3.2 million on improvements to London Road in an effort to transform the borough.The money is being invested to improve the street, tidy up shop fronts and building facades, widen and repave footpaths, plant trees, and provide new seating and cycle parking. The project will make the road more pedestrian-friendly and increase trade for local shops and businesses.Work on shopfronts will start in August in Broad Green and move south towards West Croydon, whilst work on the road and pavements will start at West Croydon and move north.Almost £600,000 of the budget will be spent supporting 40 local businesses to improve their shops and building frontages. This will include cleaning and repainting, new shop fronts, signs, awnings and security shutters, and the restoration of historic features.Once the first phase of improvements is complete if there are any remaining funds these will be offered to other businesses nearby.Everything is due to be finished by the summer of 2015.In total, over £50million is being invested in Croydon through the ‘Connected Croydon' programme.Councillor Toni Letts, cabinet member for economic development, said: "We're really seeing significant changes to the face of Croydon. Our high streets are hugely important to the prosperity of the borough and they say a huge amount about us. If we create inviting public spaces where people feel safe to shop and spend their leisure time we will change Croydon's image and bring in even more much-needed investment. It's our pledge to be ambitious for Croydon, and by driving forward this scheme we are showing we mean business."Connected Croydon is a jointly-funded project, managed by Croydon council, with support from Transport for London and an £18m contribution from the Mayor of London.